Monday, April 4, 2011
Reply from City of Kamloops
The City fo Kamloops replied to me via email today with some pretty relevant info about the existing bridge in Kamloops CBD and the proposals for the new bridge at Summit Drive including the Bicycle plan and council meeting minutes. I think there'll be lots of useful info for my research paper. I want to sort through it before posting anything on here.
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Abstract for Research
Abstract:
Thesis: How can a pedestrian bridge over Summit Drive be designed for maximum use and promote community values?
The purpose of the research report is to prepare an appropriate concept and preliminary design for a pedestrian bridge at Summit Drive and McGill Road in Kamloops, BC, Canada. The report will look at the need for a bridge, the site, some commonly used materials for bridge construction as well as a design proposal for the bridge. The design will attempt to incorporate accessibility guidelines, Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, sustainable urban design philosophies and bridge standards for BC as outlined by the Government of BC (BC Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, 2007).
The need for this bridge is related to the growing population of Kamloops (City of Kamloops, n.d.), the proximity to the Tournament Capital Centre (TCC), the large number of students and staff at Thompson Rivers University (TRU ) and the traffic congestion and safety concerns at the intersection of Summit Drive and McGill Road. The need for a solution to the congestion has also been identified by the City of Kamloops and their request for a proposal of a bridge at the site.
Kamloops grew by 3.7% from 2006 to 2009 (City of Kamloops, n.d.). As a growing city, the investment in infrastructure is important to maintain the high quality of life enjoyed by the residents. As the ‘Tournament Capital of Canada’, Kamloops hosts a variety of sporting and recreational events. The TCC is used heavily both by residents of Kamloops and by visitors to the region who participate in these sporting and recreational activities. When these visitors use the TCC, this intersection sees increased volume of vehicles and pedestrians.
The growing use of the pedestrian crosswalk is also due in large part to the growing population of TRU which now has over 25,000 students (Venture Kamloops, 2011). The nearby abundance of rental accommodation is used by the growing student body who then commute in vehicles and by foot to TRU. Summit Drive is an arterial road and is used by other commuters as a means to access the central business district of Kamloops and the North Shore which conflicts directly with the pedestrian crossing at the intersection with McGill Road. The apparent result of this conflict is the long wait times at the traffic light by vehicles turning north from McGill Road on to Summit Drive. This report will further investigate the volume of pedestrian and vehicle traffic at this intersection. Currently, pedestrians have to take a 300m route from Dalgleish Drive to the intersection at Summit Drive and McGill Road in order to safely cross Summit Drive and get to TRU. This long detour often results in illegal and unsafe crossings of Summit Drive by pedestrians.
The proposed site is in a prominent location with views of the North Shore and the Thompson River. It’s location is between the higher density housing and short term accommodation that falls east of Summit Drive and the TCC, TRU, Wal-Mart, Home Depot and other smaller retail shops situated to the west of summit drive. Summit Drive is approximately 30m wide at the site. The intersection of Summit Drive and McGill Road is at roughly 510m above sea level and slopes down to the north at 7.5% for 400m. There is a gully bottom of 480m elevation 50m to the west of Summit Drive and University Drive on the TRU campus is at roughly 505m above sea level. Finally, Dalgliesh Drive is located directly west of Summit Drive at 505m above sea level.
Bridges are commonly constructed from combinations of wood, concrete and steel (Gardner, 2008). Bridges have historically been constructed using timber for structural purposes. An example of which is the Burkeville Covered Bridge built in 1871 in Massachusetts with a span of 106 ft. (32m) (Lee & Brenner, 2008). While the required span over Summit Drive will likely be greater than 32m, there are other timber bridges with much greater single spans. Wood is less durable than concrete and steel however Bijen (2003) outlines that with proper maintenance the service life of timber has been known to exceed 500 years. The Kamloops local area has an abundance of timber due to the Mountain Pine Beetle which has devastated BC’s pine forests making timber a viable and sustainable option for the bridge.
Concrete became a universal material in bridge construction in the 20th century although it is very limited in terms of its structural abilities as it is very weak in tension without the use of reinforcing (Hempstead, 2005). Steel is the dominant material used to reinforce concrete in structures as it is strong in tension which compliments the compression strength of concrete.
Structural steel is very ductile and therefore a widely used material in engineering (Bruneau, Uang &Whittaker, 1998). In bridge construction, steel is used for cables, structural members, as reinforcing in concrete and many other engineering applications. It’s availability and relatively low cost make it a preferred material.
Another potential material is bamboo which has been regularly used as a structural material in parts of Asia and South America. It is at the same time sustainable, light weight and remarkably strong (Laroque, 2007). The durability and lifespan of bamboo as a structural material for a bridge will require further research.
The process for designing a bridge would normally follow several key steps. First, the site for the structure and the requirements of the structure should be investigated. The next step is for the designer to create conceptual and preliminary designs. A final design is then prepared along with the necessary documentation and finally the designs are put to tender and construction begins (Gorenc, Tinyou & Syam, 2005).
A design for a pedestrian bridge in the City of Edmonton was selected because it offered the least environmental disruption and because it helped the City of Edmonton achieve a goal of promoting sustainable transportation and healthy communities by encouraging physical activity and non-motorized transportation (City of Edmonton, 2011).
The intent of the research is to prepare an informed and appropriate conceptual and preliminary design which could potentially be proposed to the City of Kamloops. The final result design will take into account the values of the community, the potential users of the bridge, accessibility of the bridge for users with mobility disabilities, urban design strategies and CPTED principles. This design will be presented in the form of design sketches, technical diagrams and a written description of the project.
References:
Bijen, J. (2003). Durability of Engineering Structures- Design, Repair and Maintenance.
Cambridge: Woodhead Publishing Limited.
Bruneau, M., Uang, C & Whittaker, A. (1998). Ductile Design of Steel Structures. New
York: McGraw Hill Companies, Inc.
City of Edmonton, (2011). Fort Edmonton Footbridge Project. Retrieved on April 2, 2011
from http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/parks_rivervalley/fort-
edmonton-footbridge-project.aspx
City of Kamloops. (n.d.). Residents- Demographics. Retrieved from
http://www.city.kamloops.bc.ca/demographics/index.shtml on April 2, 2011
Gardner, D. (2008). Wood, Concrete, Stone and Steel: Minnesota’s Historic Bridges.
Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press.Gorenc, B., Tinyou, R., & Syam, A.
(2005). Steel Designer’s Handbook. Sydney: UNSW Press Ltd
Hempstead, C. (Ed.). (2005). Encyclopedia of 20th Century Technology: Volume 1, A-L. New
York: Routledge.
Kranakis, E. (1997). Constructing a Bridge: An Exploration of Engineering Culture, Design,
and Research in Nineteenth-century France and America. Cambridge: MIT Press.
Laroque, P., (2007). Design of a Low Cost Bamboo Footbridge. Massachusetts: MIT
Lee, S. & Brenner, B. (2008). Rehabilitation of Two Historic Timber Covered Bridges in
Massachusetts. In Adeli, H. (Ed.) Historic Bridges: Evaluation, Preservation and
Management. Boca Raton: CRC Press.
Mahmoud, K., (2007). Innovations in Bridge Engineering Technology. London: Taylor and
Francis Group
Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure. (2007). Bridge Standards and Procedures
Manual Volume 1- Supplement to CHBDC S6-06 Section 1. Retrieved from:
http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/eng_publications/bridge/standards/BSM-
Volume-1_2007/BSM_Vol_1_Sec_01_Aug_2007.pdf on March 26, 2011
Phiri. M., (1999). Information Technology in Construction Design. London: Thomas Telford
Publishing
Venture Kamloops. (2011). Kamloops Advantages. Retrieved from:
http://www.venturekamloops.com/kamloops-advantages.htm on April 2, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Map of Sections
City of Kamloops, (n.d.) Online Services Property Information Search. Retrieved on March 30 2011 from http://webserver.kamloops.ca/tempestlive/webInquiry/frames.cfm
Section lines drawn by Jeremy Cox on March 30 2011
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Required Clearances and Widths
These are some requirements I will need to incorporate into the design. The required vertical height clearance for this bridge will need to be 5.5m above all paved surfaces. The width for two directional cycle and pedestrian traffic is a minimum of 3.5m and the maximum slope for wheel chair accessibility will be 1:12.
BC Ministry of Transporation and Infrastructure. (2007). Bridge Standards and Procedures Manual Volume 1- Supplement to CHBDC S6-06 Section 1. Retrieved from: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/eng_publications/bridge/standards/BSM-Volume-1_2007/BSM_Vol_1_Sec_01_Aug_2007.pdf on March 26, 2011
BC Ministry of Transporation and Infrastructure. (2007). Bridge Standards and Procedures Manual Volume 1- Supplement to CHBDC S6-06 Section 1. Retrieved from: http://www.th.gov.bc.ca/publications/eng_publications/bridge/standards/BSM-Volume-1_2007/BSM_Vol_1_Sec_01_Aug_2007.pdf on March 26, 2011
Wheel Chair Accessibility
I would like to incorporate wheel chair accessibility into at least a portion of the bridge design. I found the "Americans with Disabilities Act and Architectural Barriers Act Accessibility Guidelines" home page. There is some in depth rules and guidelines that seem to be in place for new construction in the United States. See the link on the right.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Thesis Questions
1) Where would be the best placement of a bridge over Summit Drive to encourage use by pedestrians, cyclists and users with mobility disabilities?
2) How can CPTED principles be incorporated into the design of the bridge and surrounding areas?
3) How can the design of the bridge and surrounding areas incorporate community priorities such the "Tournament Capital City" initiative?
2) How can CPTED principles be incorporated into the design of the bridge and surrounding areas?
3) How can the design of the bridge and surrounding areas incorporate community priorities such the "Tournament Capital City" initiative?
Monday, February 28, 2011
Locations for Bridge Proposed by City
Redefining Research Project
I have decided to try to focus my research project a little bit.
I plan on just using the site at Thompson Rivers University for my bridge design. Im apparently not the first person to consider this as a great location for a pedestrian bridge. It turns out that the City of Kamloops has already initiated a process that will look at a bridge in this location. I plan to use some of the criterea listed by the city as part of the design process, but as a student, I obviously will not have the resources to create a complete proposal.The following is a portion of the RFP from the City of Kamloops:
Summit Drive
The 2010 Bicycle Master Plan also identified a grade separated multi-use pathway connection across Summit Drive north of McGill Road. The City requires the predesign of this connection in order to properly budget for the project as well as apply for funding from more senior levels of government.
Substantial volumes of vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the intersection of Summit Drive and McGill Road have increased delays at the intersection. Concerns for the safety of pedestrians have been brought forward to the City and Council with regard to the volume of jaywalking that occurs on Summit Drive north of McGill Road. The overpass must serve pedestrian and bicycle demand from Dalgleish Drive as well as pedestrian demand from the sidewalk along McGill Road. There are potential property and right-of-way limitations that need to be addressed. The project may require options, depending upon the City's ability to acquire right-of-way. Further details on the Summit Drive overpass can be found in Appendix "C" of the City's Bicycle Master Plan.
As with the Peterson Creek Multi-Use path, there are many potential alignments for
this connection. Again, the City requires at least three alignments to be identified.
For each alignment, the successful proponent will prepare a summary of high-level
issues and order-of-magnitude costs. Suggested alignments are shown in Appendix
"C". Each option shall identify the proportion of use for bicycle and pedestrian traffic
as well as typical daily volume when Thompson Rivers University is in session. It is
expected that the proponent's submission will include a detailed methodology to
determine these volumes; mode share will influence the design and location of the
overpass. Using this information, a preferred option will be recommended. Then,
after approval from the City, the successful proponent will undertake the predesign
of the preferred option. A recommendation on treatment of pedestrians at the
intersection of McGill Road and Summit Drive is also required (i.e. impacts of closing
the north crosswalk at this intersection).
C:\Documents and Settings\Jdickenson\My Documents\GroupWise\P26-10 Summit Peterson Creek.docx
The predesign shall:
• Provide a Class C estimate;
• Include plan and profile, cross-section, and structural drawings (prepared by
a qualified structural engineer) to properly develop the Class C cost estimate;
• Identify phasing options to provide flexibility in the funding and construction
of the project (cost estimates required for each phase);
• Address geotechnical conditions;
• Include the design of all required pathway connections to the proposed
structure;
• Identify all necessary environmental permits and propose solutions to any
foreseen issues;
• Address lighting and power source requirements;
• Identify utility conflicts and propose solutions; and
• Address existing drainage issues directly related to the overpass project (a
complete drainage analysis is not required).
C:\Documents and Settings\Jdickenson\My Documents\GroupWise\P26-10 Summit Peterson Creek.docx
City of Kamloops (2010). Request For Proposal Number RFP: P 26-10. Retrieved on Feb. 28, 2011 from: http://www.kamloops.ca/purchasing/pdfs/2010/p26.pdf
I plan on just using the site at Thompson Rivers University for my bridge design. Im apparently not the first person to consider this as a great location for a pedestrian bridge. It turns out that the City of Kamloops has already initiated a process that will look at a bridge in this location. I plan to use some of the criterea listed by the city as part of the design process, but as a student, I obviously will not have the resources to create a complete proposal.The following is a portion of the RFP from the City of Kamloops:
Summit Drive
The 2010 Bicycle Master Plan also identified a grade separated multi-use pathway connection across Summit Drive north of McGill Road. The City requires the predesign of this connection in order to properly budget for the project as well as apply for funding from more senior levels of government.
Substantial volumes of vehicle and pedestrian traffic at the intersection of Summit Drive and McGill Road have increased delays at the intersection. Concerns for the safety of pedestrians have been brought forward to the City and Council with regard to the volume of jaywalking that occurs on Summit Drive north of McGill Road. The overpass must serve pedestrian and bicycle demand from Dalgleish Drive as well as pedestrian demand from the sidewalk along McGill Road. There are potential property and right-of-way limitations that need to be addressed. The project may require options, depending upon the City's ability to acquire right-of-way. Further details on the Summit Drive overpass can be found in Appendix "C" of the City's Bicycle Master Plan.
As with the Peterson Creek Multi-Use path, there are many potential alignments for
this connection. Again, the City requires at least three alignments to be identified.
For each alignment, the successful proponent will prepare a summary of high-level
issues and order-of-magnitude costs. Suggested alignments are shown in Appendix
"C". Each option shall identify the proportion of use for bicycle and pedestrian traffic
as well as typical daily volume when Thompson Rivers University is in session. It is
expected that the proponent's submission will include a detailed methodology to
determine these volumes; mode share will influence the design and location of the
overpass. Using this information, a preferred option will be recommended. Then,
after approval from the City, the successful proponent will undertake the predesign
of the preferred option. A recommendation on treatment of pedestrians at the
intersection of McGill Road and Summit Drive is also required (i.e. impacts of closing
the north crosswalk at this intersection).
C:\Documents and Settings\Jdickenson\My Documents\GroupWise\P26-10 Summit Peterson Creek.docx
The predesign shall:
• Provide a Class C estimate;
• Include plan and profile, cross-section, and structural drawings (prepared by
a qualified structural engineer) to properly develop the Class C cost estimate;
• Identify phasing options to provide flexibility in the funding and construction
of the project (cost estimates required for each phase);
• Address geotechnical conditions;
• Include the design of all required pathway connections to the proposed
structure;
• Identify all necessary environmental permits and propose solutions to any
foreseen issues;
• Address lighting and power source requirements;
• Identify utility conflicts and propose solutions; and
• Address existing drainage issues directly related to the overpass project (a
complete drainage analysis is not required).
C:\Documents and Settings\Jdickenson\My Documents\GroupWise\P26-10 Summit Peterson Creek.docx
City of Kamloops (2010). Request For Proposal Number RFP: P 26-10. Retrieved on Feb. 28, 2011 from: http://www.kamloops.ca/purchasing/pdfs/2010/p26.pdf
Saturday, February 5, 2011
References
References Cited-
Phiri. M., (1999) Information Technology in Construction Design. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://books.google.ca/books?id=zn6uLnZEvAUC&pg=PA163&dq=footbridge+construction&hl=en&ei=btlFTd_xEob4swOyltSJCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CGYQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=footbridge%20construction&f=false
City of Edmonton, (2011)Fort Edmonton Footbridge Project. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/parks_rivervalley/fort-edmonton-footbridge-project.aspx
Laroque. P., (2007) Design of a Low Cost Bamboo Footbridge. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/39270/170931831.pdf?sequence=1
Mahmoud. K., (2007) Innovations in Bridge Engineering Technology. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://books.google.ca/books?id=zsTAyFeYEccC&pg=PA78&dq=cable+supported+footbridge+analysis&hl=en&ei=auNFTZ1YjaKxA_njhfsK&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=cable%20supported%20footbridge%20analysis&f=false
(Author Unknown), (2000) Details in Architecture, Creative Detailing By Some of the Worlds Leading Architects. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://books.google.ca/books?id=0Y7Hr8-wSMUC&pg=PA82&dq=footbridge+construction+japan&hl=en&ei=4-JFTdngNIO2sAOKnI2pCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CEIQ6AEwATgU#v=onepage&q=footbridge%20construction%20japan&f=false
First Post- Research Proposal
ARET 2220 Applied Research Report Jeremy Cox
Assignment #1 – Research Proposal
Pedestrian Bridge
Summary- I intend to investigate the need for, practicality, design possibilities and costs associated with the construction of a new pedestrian bridge at two specific sites in Kamloops, BC.
Purpose- The purpose of this investigation will be to understand the process involved with the research and design of public amenities. I would also propose an important piece of infrastructure to the City of Kamloops that could decrease traffic congestion and increase use of public spaces. This project also has the potential to increase a sense of community and reduce the risk of injury or death to Kamloops residents.
The intent of my project is to propose:
1) Site A- A pedestrian bridge from the Thompson Rivers University campus over Summit Drive to Dalgleish Drive. I would like to discover whether a pedestrian bridge would make it more convenient for students and other users of the university to walk rather than drive to the campus. I would also learn if a pedestrian bridge had the potential help to eliminate illegal crossings of Summit Drive as well as reduce vehicle congestion at the intersection of Summit Drive and McGill Road.
2) Site B- A pedestrian bridge from Lansdowne Shopping Centre around 6th Ave over the railway tracks to Lorne Street and 6th Ave. I would investigate whether a second pedestrian bridge to the Interior Savings Centre, Riverside Park and the residences on the north side of the railway will increase opportunities for recreation at the park and also increase business opportunities for Lansdowne Shopping Centre and the businesses north of the railway tracks. I would also determine if the pedestrian bridge would increase participation in other physical activities by allowing easier access to the parks and other recreational activities north of the railway tracks.
Objective- As a result of researching these sites, my intended objective is to study the types and designs of pedestrian bridges that have been constructed. I intend to look at the different shapes, materials and construction methods used to build various footbridges. I also intend to design a concept for a bridge for one of these two locations. The bridge design will need to account for the heavy use of the area(s) that the bridge will span. Accordingly, the bridge will need to be designed and constructed with minimal interruption to the activities occurring at the site(s). I intend to learn about the materials, methods and designs of pedestrian bridges that could span these crossings without structural supports in the centre that could potentially interrupt the activities below. Using the information gathered I would design a concept for a bridge that could be proposed to the City of Kamloops and/or the university for construction.
Methodology- I intend to gather results about the need for a bridge by way of a written survey and also through interviewing users of the existing pedestrian overpass and potential users of new overpasses. There may also be an opportunity to interview City of Kamloops town planners or other representatives to discuss long term plans to relieve congestion and increase use of the specific sites.
The possible methods of construction will be learned through the study of existing projects with similar criteria and scale. I will also research the amount of space required on either side of the bridge for landings, access, trails and green space. I would like to build several scale models to further understand the design and test the load bearing capacities.
The design process will incorporate knowledge and skills learned from participation in the ARET program at Thompson Rivers University. I will also expand on my abilities through the design of a category of structure that I have not previously studied.
Previous Studies of Footbridges and Technologies
· The Royal Victoria Dockbridge, London- Cable construction (Phiri, 1999)
· Fort Edmonton Footbridge, Edmonton (City of Edmonton, 2011)
· Design of a Low Cost Bamboo Footbridge (Laroque, 2007)
· Footbridge Design and Engineering (Mahmoud, 2007)
· Details in architecture (Author Unknown, 2000)
Contribution of the Project- I conceived this project by seeing a need and having an interest in the design of bridges. My role in implementing this project will be to do the research of existing precedent bridges, conduct the surveys and design a concept.
As a student of architectural and engineering technology, the project will contribute to my own academic goals and objectives by expanding my knowledge and understanding of structural and design principles, methodologies and materials. I will gain a wider understanding and appreciation of the data required in order to design a footbridge for a specific site. The information gathered could also be used for other projects (my own, the city’s or the university’s) in the future.
The City of Kamloops may benefit from the research if an acceptable concept is designed and the city decides to proceed using some or all of the information retrieved. The university students may also benefit if a safer method of arriving at the university is implemented.
References Cited-
Phiri. M., (1999) Information Technology in Construction Design. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://books.google.ca/books?id=zn6uLnZEvAUC&pg=PA163&dq=footbridge+construction&hl=en&ei=btlFTd_xEob4swOyltSJCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CGYQ6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=footbridge%20construction&f=false
City of Edmonton, (2011)Fort Edmonton Footbridge Project. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://www.edmonton.ca/attractions_recreation/parks_rivervalley/fort-edmonton-footbridge-project.aspx
Laroque. P., (2007) Design of a Low Cost Bamboo Footbridge. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://dspace.mit.edu/bitstream/handle/1721.1/39270/170931831.pdf?sequence=1
Mahmoud. K., (2007) Innovations in Bridge Engineering Technology. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://books.google.ca/books?id=zsTAyFeYEccC&pg=PA78&dq=cable+supported+footbridge+analysis&hl=en&ei=auNFTZ1YjaKxA_njhfsK&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=1&ved=0CDoQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=cable%20supported%20footbridge%20analysis&f=false
(Author Unknown), (2000) Details in Architecture, Creative Detailing By Some of the Worlds Leading Architects. Retrieved on Jan.30 2011 from http://books.google.ca/books?id=0Y7Hr8-wSMUC&pg=PA82&dq=footbridge+construction+japan&hl=en&ei=4-JFTdngNIO2sAOKnI2pCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CEIQ6AEwATgU#v=onepage&q=footbridge%20construction%20japan&f=false
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